PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1995.

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in special session at the Concordia Parish School Board Office, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, March 21, 1995, at five-thirty (5:30) o'clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by the Honorable Ernest Lynn White, who declared that the Board, after prayer by Mrs. Marie Cowan, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, was ready for the transaction of business.

Members present were Mr. Arthur A. Arnold, Mr. Eddie L. Coleman, Sr., Mrs. Marie Cowan, Mr. Jerry King, Mr. Charles Partridge, Mrs. Georgia Washington, Mr. Lynn White, and Mr. Sam Williams, Jr.

Members absent:  Mr. Manson E. Nelson, Sr.

Mr. Tom O'Neal, Director of Business Affairs, presented the Financial Report and answered questions.

Mr. Gary Parnham, principal of Vidalia Lower Elementary, presented information on projected student enrollment of more than 625 students for 1995-96 and discussed the current overcrowding at the school.  He informed the Board that with an additional student increase expected next year, plans needed to be made about providing additional classroom space and personnel.  Several possible solutions to the problem were discussed, including moving the third grade to Vidalia Upper Elementary, providing additional portable buildings and additional staff, or building new facilities.  Following additional discussion about the possible options and problems presented by each, Superintendent Lee informed the Board that he and his staff would continue to explore all avenues and bring a recommendation to the Board at a later date.

Mr. Partridge addressed the use of a school gymnasium by a political group without the knowledge of the superintendent on Saturday, March 11, 1995, and  the procedure for requesting the use of school facilities by the public.  Policy KG regarding this matter was distributed to the Board and reviewed.  It was moved by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Williams and carried unanimously that since corrective action has already been taken in regard to the use of a school facility by a political group, from this point on, Policy KG shall be followed.

Following discussion about the unloading and loading of students on school buses at VUE and traffic congestion due to the Riverfront Development currently ongoing, it was agreed to look at all options for changing the bus loading area and to bring the item back at a later meeting.  Superintendent Lee stated that he would recommend a change to remedy the problem prior to the 1995-96 school year.

It was moved by Mr. Coleman, seconded by Mr. Williams,  and carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to go into Executive Session at 6:15 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Williams and a second by Mr. Arnold, it was carried 7-1, with Mr. Partridge voting no, to return to Open Session at 6:45 p.m.

Mr. White reported that while in Executive Session, the Board discussed a student and a replacement for Mr. King, who has declared his intention to resign effective April 4, 1995, at 5:30 p.m.  Superintendent Lee commended Mr. King for providing advance notice so that his constituents would not be without representation.  A notice will be placed in the Concordia Sentinel informing the public that interested registered voters qualified to run in district 4B should write a letter of interest for the appointment to the Board on a temporary basis until an election can be held.

Superintendent Lee announced that the second Teen Summit would be held in the Media Center on Friday, March 24, 1995 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and that the third annual Professional Growth Conference, funded by a Louisiana 8(g) Innovative Professional Development grant, would take place Saturday, March 25, 1995, at the River Park Hotel. 

It was moved by Mr. Partridge, seconded by Mr. Arnold and carried to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.

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James E. Lee, Superintendent                                                             Manson E. Nelson, Sr., President